Activation of angiotensin II type 2 receptor suppresses TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 via NF-кB: possible role of ACE2

ANG II type 2 receptor (AT2) and ANG I-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) are important components of the renin-ANG system. Activation of AT2 and ACE2 reportedly counteracts proinflammatory effects of ANG II. However, the possible interaction between AT2 and ACE2 has never been established. We hypothesized that activation of AT2 increases ACE2 activity, thereby preventing TNF-α-stimulated ICAM-1 expression via inhibition of NF-κB signaling. Human coronary artery endothelial cells were pretreated with AT2 antagonist PD123319 (PD) or ACE2 inhibitor DX600 and then stimulated with TNF-α in the presence or absence of AT2 agonist CGP42112 (CGP). We found that AT2 agonist CGP increased both ACE2 protein expression and activity. This effect was blunted by AT2 antagonist PD. ICAM-1 expression was very low in untreated cells but greatly increased by TNF-α. Activation of AT2 with agonist CGP or with ANG II under concomitant AT1 antagonist reduced TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression, which was reversed by AT2 antagonist PD or ACE2 inhibitor DX600 or knockdown of ACE2 with small interfering RNA. AT2 activation also suppressed TNF-α-stimulated phosphorylation of inhibitory κB (p-IκB) and NF-κB activity. Inhibition of ACE2 reversed the inhibitory effect of AT2 on TNF-α-stimulated p-IκB and NF-κB activity. Our findings suggest that stimulation of AT2 reduces TNF-α-stimulated ICAM-1 expression, which is partly through ACE2-mediated inhibition of NF-κB signaling.

Download Full-text

Angiotensin II type 2 receptor-stimulated activation of plasma prekallikrein and bradykinin release: role of SHP-1

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.01157.2011 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 302 (12) ◽

pp. H2553-H2559 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Liping Zhu ◽

Oscar A. Carretero ◽

Jiang Xu ◽

Luchen Wang ◽

Pamela Harding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Small Interfering Rna ◽

Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽

Plasma Kallikrein ◽

Ang Ii ◽

Sodium Orthovanadate ◽

Cardioprotective Effects ◽

Interfering Rna ◽

Stimulation Of

ANG II type 2 receptors (AT2R) elicit cardioprotective effects in part by stimulating the release of kinins; however, the mechanism(s) responsible have not been fully explored. We demonstrated previously that overexpression of AT2R increased expression of prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP; a plasma prekallikrein activator) and release of bradykinin by mouse coronary artery endothelial cells (ECs). In the present study we hypothesized that the AT2R-stimulated increase in PRCP is mediated by the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1, which in turn activates the PRCP-dependent prekallikrein-kallikrein pathway and releases bradykinin. We found that activation of AT2R using the specific agonist CGP42112A increased SHP-1 activity in ECs, which was blocked by the AT2R antagonist PD123319. Activation of AT2R also enhanced conversion of plasma prekallikrein to kallikrein, and this effect was blunted by a small interfering RNA (siRNA) to SHP-1 and abolished by the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate. Treating cells with a siRNA to PRCP also blunted AT2R-stimulated prekallikrein activation and bradykinin release. Furthermore, blocking plasma kallikrein with soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) abolished AT2R-stimulated bradykinin release. These findings support our hypothesis that stimulation of AT2R activates a PRCP-dependent plasma prekallikrein pathway, releasing bradykinin. Activation of SHP-1 may also play an important role in AT2R-induced PRCP activation.

Download Full-text

Proapoptotic effects of ANG II in human coronary artery endothelial cells: role of AT1receptor and PKC activation

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.1999.276.3.h786 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 276 (3) ◽

pp. H786-H792 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Dayuan Li ◽

Baichun Yang ◽

M. Ian Philips ◽

Jawahar L. Mehta

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Specific Inhibitor ◽

Ang Ii ◽

Human Coronary Artery ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Factor Α ◽

Pkc Activation

Anoxia-reoxygenation, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and angiotensin II (ANG II) have been shown to induce apoptosis in myocytes. However, the role of these mediators in causing apoptosis of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) is not known. This study was designed to examine the interaction of these mediators in induction of apoptosis in HCAEC. Cultured HCAEC were exposed to anoxia-reoxygenation, TNF-α, and ANG II. TNF-α enhanced apoptosis of HCAEC (determined by DNA nick-end labeling in situ and DNA laddering) caused by anoxia-reoxygenation. ANG II increased apoptosis beyond that caused by anoxia-reoxygenation and TNF-α. Apoptosis caused by ANG II was reduced by losartan, a specific ANG II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blocker, whereas PD-123,177, a specific ANG II type 2 receptor blocker, under identical conditions had minimal effect. The proapoptotic effects of ANG II were associated with the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). The importance of PKC activation as a signal transduction mechanism became evident in experiments wherein treatment of HCAEC with a specific inhibitor of PKC activation decreased ANG II-mediated apoptosis. Thus AT1R activation appears to be responsible for apoptosis caused by ANG II in HCAEC, and AT1R activation-mediated apoptosis involves activation of PKC.

Download Full-text

Let-7a-5p regulates the inflammatory response in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Diagnostic Pathology ◽

10.1186/s13000-021-01089-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jianwei Zhang ◽

Lei Han ◽

Feng Chen

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Response ◽

Chronic Rhinosinusitis ◽

Nasal Polyps ◽

Mapk Pathway ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Western Blot Assay ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Tnf Α

Abstract Background Let-7a-5p is demonstrated to be a tumor inhibitor in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, the role of let-7a-5p in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) has not been reported. This study is designed to determine the pattern of expression and role of let-7a-5p in CRSwNP. Methods The expression level of let-7a-5p, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in CRSwNP tissues and cells were detected by RT-qPCR. Western blot assay was carried out to measure the protein expression of the Ras-MAPK pathway. Dual luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay were used to explore the relationship between let-7a-5p and IL-6. Results Let-7a-5p was significantly downregulated in CRSwNP tissues and cells. Moreover, the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 was increased in CRSwNP tissues, while let-7a-5p mimic inhibited the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Besides that, let-7a-5p was negatively correlated with TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in CRSwNP tissues. In our study, IL-6 was found to be a target gene of let-7a-5p. Additionally, let-7-5p mimic obviously reduced the protein levels of Ras, p-Raf1, p-MEK1 and p-ERK1/2, while IL-6 overexpression destroyed the inhibitory effect of let-7a-5p on the Ras-MAPK pathway in CRSwNP. Conclusion We demonstrated that let-7a-5p/IL-6 interaction regulated the inflammatory response through the Ras-MAPK pathway in CRSwNP.

Download Full-text

Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Homologous Downregulation of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Mrna by Angiotensin II

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.36.suppl_1.688-b ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. 688-688

Author(s):

Toshihiro Ichiki ◽

Kotaro Takeda ◽

Akira Takeshita

Keyword(s):

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Angiotensin Ii ◽

Nadph Oxidase ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Crucial Role ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Ang Ii ◽

Stimulation Of

58 Recent studies suggest a crucial role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for the signaling of Angiotensin II (Ang II) through type 1 Ang II receptor (AT1-R). However, the role of ROS in the regulation of AT1-R expression has not been explored. In this study, we examined the effect of an antioxidant on the homologous downregulation of AT1-R by Ang II. Ang II (10 -6 mol/L) decreased AT1-R mRNA with a peak suppression at 6 hours of stimulation in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Ang II dose-dependently (10 -8 -10 -6 ) suppressed AT1-R mRNA at 6 hours of stimulation. Preincubation of VSMC with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, almost completely inhibited the Ang II-induced downregulation of AT1-R mRNA. The effect of NAC was due to stabilization of the AT1-R mRNA that was destabilized by Ang II. Ang II did not affect the promoter activity of AT1-R gene. Diphenylene iodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of NADH/NADPH oxidase failed to inhibit the Ang II-induced AT1-R mRNA downregulation. The Ang II-induced AT1-R mRNA downregulation was also blocked by PD98059, an extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) kinase inhibitor. Ang II-induced ERK activation was inhibited by NAC as well as PD98059 whereas DPI did not inhibit it. To confirm the role of ROS in the regulation of AT1-R mRNA expression, VSMC were stimulated with H 2 O 2 . H 2 O 2 suppressed the AT1-R mRNA expression and activated ERK. These results suggest that production of ROS and activation of ERK are critical for downregulation of AT1-R mRNA. The differential effect of NAC and DPI on the downregulation of AT1-R mRNA may suggest the presence of other sources than NADH/NADPH oxidase pathway for ROS in Ang II signaling. Generation of ROS through stimulation of AT1-R not only mediates signaling of Ang II but may play a crucial role in the adaptation process of AT1-R to the sustained stimulation of Ang II.

Download Full-text

Abstract P288: Systemic Administration of an Angiotensin Type-2 Receptor Agonist Decreases Renal Regulatory T Cells

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.70.suppl_1.p288 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 70 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Ellen E Gillis ◽

Jennifer C Sullivan

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Regulatory T Cells ◽

Critical Role ◽

High Dose ◽

Ang Ii ◽

Osmotic Minipump ◽

Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor ◽

Angiotensin Type

There is increasing evidence supporting a critical role of the immune system in the development of hypertension. Our lab has previously reported sex differences in the renal T cell profile in both Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) and Angiotensin II (Ang II) models of hypertension, with females having more anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Tregs) than males. Ang II has a well-defined role in the activation of pro-inflammatory T cells in hypertension via the angiotensin type-1 receptor (AT1R). Less is known about the role of the angiotensin type-2 receptor (AT2R) in the regulation of immune cells, although the AT2R has been shown to be cardioprotective and AT2R expression is greater in females than males. Based on the potential anti-hypertensive role of AT2Rs, we hypothesized that administration of an AT2R agonist, Compound 21 (C21), would increase renal Tregs, and this increase would be greater in females due to greater AT2R expression. Male and female SHR (10 weeks of age, n=3-4) were implanted with telemetry units for continuous monitoring of mean arterial pressure (MAP). Following 10 days of recovery, baseline MAP was recorded for 5 days. Rats were then divided into the following treatment groups: surgical controls, low dose C21 (150 ng/kg/min, sc by osmotic minipump), high dose C21 (300 ng/kg/min, sc by osmotic minipump). Kidneys were harvested after 2 weeks of treatment and flow cytometry was performed on whole kidney homogenates. MAP was not altered by C21 treatment in males (137±4 vs 134±4 vs 134±4 mmHg; n.s.) or females (128±2 vs 136±5 vs 134±4 mmHg; n.s.). Interestingly, despite having no effect on MAP, there was a significant decrease in renal CD3 + CD4 + FoxP3 + Tregs in females following both low and high doses of C21 (data expressed as % CD3 + CD4 + cells: 6±0.6 vs 3±0.6 vs 3.5±1.3 %, respectively; p=0.02). Tregs decrease in males following the high dose of C21 only (data expressed as % CD3 + CD4 + cells: 3.3±0.3 vs 3.3±0.5 vs 1.7±0.7 %, respectively; p=0.05). Total CD3 + T cells, CD3 + CD4 + T cells, and Th17 cells were not altered by C21 treatment. In conclusion, AT2R activation suppresses renal Tregs, and females are more sensitive than males. These data suggest a novel role for AT2R regulation in the kidney in hypertension.

Download Full-text

Abstract 579: Increased Role of COX-derived Prostanoids in Regulating Ang II Induced Uterine Artery Contraction at Early Pregnancy in a Transgenic Model of Preeclampsia

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.64.suppl_1.579 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 64 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Victor M Pulgar ◽

Liliya M Yamaleyeva ◽

Jasmina Varagic ◽

Carolynne M McGee ◽

Michael Bader ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Uterine Artery ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Isometric Tension ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Female Rat ◽

Ang Ii ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Vascular Control ◽

Human Renin

The balance between vasodilatory and vasoconstrictor prostanoids contributes to vascular control during pregnancy. Alterations in this balance are involved in the development of hypertensive pregnancy. The transgenic female rat containing the human angiotensinogen (hAGN) gene mated with the male transgenic containing human renin (hREN) is a model of preeclampsia (TgA), and shows hypertension and proteinuria at late gestation. We investigated the role COX-derived mediators have on contractility of the uterine artery (UA) in TgA rats before the hypertensive phenotype develops. UA were isolated from transgenic TgA (n=9) and Sprague-Dawley (n=7) control rats at 7 days of gestation. UA were mounted in a wire myograph for determinations of isometric tension (DMT USA, 620M). Responses to acetylcholine (ACh), phenylephrine (Phe) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were measured in control conditions and after preincubation with indomethacin (Indo, 10-5M). Data were fitted to a dose response curve, vasodilatation was expressed as percent of pre-constriction and sensitivity as pD2 (pD2= -Log [EC50]). Responses to ACh reached similar maximal relaxations (64±8 vs 75±6%, p>0.05), and an increased contraction in TgA UA at ACh >10μM (p<0.05) was eliminated by Indo. Contraction to Phe was similar in both groups with an inhibitory effect of Indo on TgA UA (p<0.05). Relaxation to SNP was lower in TgA vs SD UA (92±2 vs 74±5%, p<0.05), this difference was abolished by Indo. Thus, inhibition of COX enzymes had a greater effect on TgA UA suggesting an imbalance towards an increased prostanoids-derived constrictor tone in TgA UA. This imbalance appears before the hypertensive phenotype is established.

Download Full-text

Abstract 7: Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Deficiency Increases Renal ACE/ACE2 Ratio-Ang II-AT1R Expression In Male but not in Female Mice

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.60.suppl_1.a7 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 60 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Quaisar Ali ◽

Yonnie Wu ◽

Tadashi Inagami ◽

Tahir Hussain

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Renal Function ◽

Angiotensin Ii ◽

Renin Activity ◽

Ang Ii ◽

Male And Female ◽

Female Mice ◽

Gender Specific

Angiotensin II acting via Angiotensin II type 2 receptors (AT2Rs) is believed to be protective against blood pressure increase and affects renal function under pathophysiological condition. Recently we have observed that stimulation of AT2Rs in male obese Zucker rats has shifted the two opposing arms of renin angiotensin system (RAS) i.e. ACE-Ang II-AT1 vs ACE2/Ang-(1-7)-Mas. Evidence suggests that estrogen regulates RAS, including AT2R in female mice. We hypothesized that AT2R has a gender specific regulation of RAS. In the present study, we investigated the role of AT2Rs in regulating RAS components in male and female mice. Kidney cortex from AT2R knockout (AT2RKO) male and female mice and wild type (WT) with similar background (C57BL/6) of 20 weeks of age were used in the study. The cortical ACE expression (ng ACE/μg tissue) was significantly increased in AT2RKO mice (3±0.02) compared to WT males (1.9±0.02). LC/MS analysis of cortical tissue revealed that Ang II was also significantly increased in AT2RKO mice (WT: 31±3, AT2RKO: 47±3 fmoles/mg tissue). Deletion of AT2R significantly increased AT1R (204%, 204 of 100) expression and had no effect on renin activity compared to WT males. The cortical expression of ACE2 activity (WT: 113±8, AT2RKO: 40±11, RFU/min), Ang-(1-7) levels (WT: 7.3±1.4, AT2RKO: 3±0.8 fmoles/mg tissue) and Mas receptor (AT2RKO: 54±15, % of WT) was significantly decreased in AT2RKO males compared to WT. The cortical expression of the AT2R and MasR was 2-fold greater in WT females compared to WT male. The renin activity (WT: 32±2, AT2RKO: 21±0.3, RFU/min) and MasR expression (WT: 187.5±55, AT2KO: 47±9) was significantly decreased in AT2RKO females compared to the female WT. Interestingly, Ang-(1-7) level (WT: 5.7±0.7, AT2RKO 2.6±0.7 fmoles/mg tissue) was decreased but no changes in ACE or ACE2 activity was observed in AT2KO females compared to their WT, suggesting a role of non-ACE2 pathway. This study suggests that AT2R regulates ACE/ACE2 ratio-Ang II-AT1R expression negatively only in males, whereas in females, it regulates Ang-(1-7) potentially via non-ACE2 pathway. Such changes indicate a gender specific mechanisms potentially associated with AT2R-mediated regulation of renal function and blood pressure control.

Download Full-text

Grain dust-induced lung inflammation is reduced byRhodobacter sphaeroidesdiphosphoryl lipid A

AJP Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajplung.1998.274.1.l26 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 274 (1) ◽

pp. L26-L31 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Paul J. Jagielo ◽

Timothy J. Quinn ◽

Nilofer Qureshi ◽

David A. Schwartz

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Response ◽

Airway Inflammation ◽

Lipid A ◽

Partial Agonist ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Sterile Saline ◽

Endotoxin Activity ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Grain Dust

To further determine the importance of endotoxin in grain dust-induced inflammation of the lower respiratory tract, we evaluated the efficacy of pentaacylated diphosphoryl lipid A derived from the lipopolysaccharide of Rhodobacter sphaeroides (RsDPLA) as a partial agonist of grain dust-induced airway inflammation. RsDPLA is a relatively inactive compound compared with lipid A derived from Escherichia coli (LPS) and has been demonstrated to act as a partial agonist of LPS-induced inflammation. To assess the potential stimulatory effect of RsDPLA in relation to LPS, we incubated THP-1 cells with RsDPLA (0.001–100 μg/ml), LPS (0.02 μg endotoxin activity/ml), or corn dust extract (CDE; 0.02 μg endotoxin activity/ml). Incubation with RsDPLA revealed a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α stimulatory effect at 100 μg/ml. In contrast, incubation with LPS or CDE resulted in TNF-α release at 0.02 μg/ml. Pretreatment of THP-1 cells with varying concentrations of RsDPLA before incubation with LPS or CDE (0.02 μg endotoxin activity/ml) resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the LPS- or CDE-induced release of TNF-α with concentrations of RsDPLA of up to 10 μg/ml but not at 100 μg/ml. To further understand the role of endotoxin in grain dust-induced airway inflammation, we utilized the unique LPS inhibitory property of RsDPLA to determine the inflammatory response to inhaled CDE in mice in the presence of RsDPLA. Ten micrograms of RsDPLA intratracheally did not cause a significant inflammatory response compared with intratracheal saline. However, pretreatment of mice with 10 μg of RsDPLA intratracheally before exposure to CDE (5.4 and 0.2 μg/m3) or LPS (7.2 and 0.28 μg/m3) resulted in significant reductions in the lung lavage concentrations of total cells, neutrophils, and specific proinflammatory cytokines compared with mice pretreated with sterile saline. These results confirm the LPS-inhibitory effect of RsDPLA and support the role of endotoxin as the principal agent in grain dust causing airway inflammation.

Download Full-text

HIF-1α contributes to Ang II-induced inflammatory cytokine production in podocytes

BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology ◽

10.1186/s40360-019-0340-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Hao Huang ◽

Yanqin Fan ◽

Zhao Gao ◽

Wei Wang ◽

Ning Shao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽

Renin Angiotensin System ◽

Inflammatory Factors ◽

Ang Ii ◽

Angiotensin System ◽

Inflammatory Injury ◽

Tnf Α

Abstract Background Studies have indicated that changed expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in epithelial cells from the kidney could affect the renal function in chronic kidney disease (CKD). As Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a critical active effector in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and was proved to be closely related to the inflammatory injury. Meanwhile, researchers found that Ang II could alter the expression of HIF-1α in the kidney. However, whether HIF-1α is involved in mediating Ang II-induced inflammatory injury in podocytes is not clear. Methods Ang II perfusion animal model were established to assess the potential role of HIF-1α in renal injury in vivo. Ang II stimulated podocytes to observe the corresponding between HIF-1α and inflammatory factors in vitro. Results The expression of inflammatory cytokines such as MCP-1 and TNF-α was increased in the glomeruli from rats treated with Ang II infusion compared with control rats. Increased HIF-1α expression in the glomeruli was also observed in Ang II-infused rats. In vitro, Ang II upregulated the expression of HIF-1α in podocytes. Furthermore, knockdown of HIF-1α by siRNA decreased the expression of MCP-1 and TNF-α. Moreover, HIF-1α siRNA significantly diminished the Ang II-induced overexpression of HIF-1α. Conclusion Collectively, our results suggest that HIF-1α participates in the inflammatory response process caused by Ang II and that downregulation of HIF-1α may be able to partially protect or reverse inflammatory injury in podocytes.

Download Full-text